Finding Reliable Information


ELAR-Grade-8 Inquiry & Research Finding Reliable Information
Students learn to search for information online. They use specific search terms to find relevant information from multiple sources. Then, they learn to refine their searches based on search results and analyze results. Next, they learn to examine and analyze sources for reliability, credibility, bias, and faulty reasoning.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for Finding Reliable Information:

Preview - Scene 1
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Overview

In this experience, students learn to search for information online. They use specific search terms to find relevant information from multiple sources. Then, they learn to refine their searches based on search results. Next, they learn to examine and analyze sources for reliability, credibility, bias, and faulty reasoning.

Students will collaborate in small groups for Scenes 3 and 4.

Note that in the complementary experience “Generating Inquiry Questions,” students write questions that could serve for formal and informal inquiries based on passages containing information about Edward Curtis, documentarian of Native American life. In this experience, “Finding Reliable Information,” students conduct research to answer questions about that same subject. Each experience can stand alone, but they are designed to work together.

Objectives

  • Search for information from reliable sources.
  • Recognize bias and faulty reasoning in a source.

Duration

One class period.


The digital age of information has made almost endless information available within seconds. But how can you tell if you can trust the information you have found? In this experience, you will learn some tips for gathering information online and analyzing it for signs of reliability, credibility, bias, and faulty reasoning.

Objectives

  • Find reliable information.
  • Gather and evaluate information.


the word Research against a background of binary codes

Imagine you want to buy a new smartphone. You know that features and prices of smartphones change regularly, so how do you find the most current information? How could you find the price of a new phone model and the quality of its camera?


List all the ways you can think of to find out information about a new phone model.

Post your answer

Lead a discussion about the responses. Point out that it’s important to evaluate the accuracy and bias of sources. E-commerce sites and review sites that get a commission from sales may be biased in the information they share.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

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